Avian influenza adds another case to its tally in Brazil, reaching a count of 177 instances.
In a recent development, Brazil has reported a new case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in wild birds, specifically in the city of São Paulo. This marks the first and only confirmed case of HPAI in a commercial production setting in the country. However, it's important to note that the outbreak did not occur in São Paulo, but rather in Montenegro, a part of the Porto Alegre Metropolitan Region in Rio Grande do Sul state.
The affected species in this commercial farm is not the Rosy-billed Pochard (Dendrocygna viduata), but rather unspecified bird species. No clinical signs of the disease have been observed in the existing animals, and as a result, no sanitary sacrifice will be conducted at the site.
Meanwhile, in São Paulo, efforts to prevent the spread of HPAI among wild birds, including the Rosy-billed Pochard, are intensifying. Biosecurity protocols for poultry producers are being enforced, requiring the confinement of free-range birds, even small-scale and subsistence flocks, to reduce contact with wild birds that may carry HPAI. Farmers are advised to expand or build shelters to house birds safely and minimize exposure to the external environment.
Strict surveillance and monitoring of bird populations are also being implemented to detect HPAI presence early and control outbreaks swiftly. This includes daily clinical inspections carried out by the State Avian Health Program (PESA) and the Division of Wild Fauna of the Municipal Prefecture at the site.
These measures, while primarily enforced in domestic poultry settings, also indirectly help protect wild bird populations by reducing viral spillover risks. Though direct intervention specifically targeting wild Rosy-billed Pochards is not detailed in the available data, biosecurity and surveillance efforts are the current frontline defenses in São Paulo against HPAI spread linked to wild birds.
As of the provided information, a total of 177 cases of HPAI have been reported in Brazil, with 171 cases in wild animals and 6 in non-commercial settings. Of this total, 171 cases were in wild animals (167 in birds and 4 in sea lions), five foci were in backyard production, and one was in commercial production.
The data about the outbreak in the commercial farm is available on the Ministry of Agriculture's platform for monitoring Respiratory and Neurological Syndrome in Birds. The ministry has confirmed that Brazil has already registered 177 cases of the disease in total.
The public is urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious cases or sightings of sick or dead birds to the relevant authorities. By working together, we can help prevent the spread of HPAI and protect our bird populations.
Scientists should pay close attention to the implications of HPAI in wild birds, as the Rosy-billed Pochard may be susceptible given the intensifying surveillance and biosecurity measures against the disease in São Paulo. The implementation of environmental-science principles such as minimal contact and proper sheltering could be crucial for the health-and-wellness of both farmed and wild bird species in this region.
